Rookie Flames defenceman Chad Billins gets 'the call'

Chad Billins of the Calgary Flames skates during a warmup before split-squad pre-season NHL action against the New York Islanders in Calgary, Alta. on Tuesday September 17, 2013. Lyle Aspinall/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency

Links

For Calgary Flames blueliner Chad Billins, making the call was the special part.

When Billins was summoned from the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat to join the big club for the start of its four-game road-trip, he could hardly wait to share the news with his parents, Jason and Teri.

“It was pretty exciting to be able to call them. It was kind of an unbelievable experience,” Billins said. “They’re the ones that take you to the rink in the early morning and all the tournaments, and with all the time they’ve invested ... it was a pretty rewarding phone call.”

The Flames enjoyed an off-day Monday in Minneapolis-St. Paul, an opportunity for Billins to reflect after a whirlwind weekend.

As Abbotsford’s leading marksman with five goals, he was a surprise scratch for Friday’s contest between the Heat and Utica Comets, removed from the lineup because his services were required by the Flames. The next day, the 24-year-old blueliner made the hour-long commute to Syracuse and boarded a flight to Chicago, arriving in the Windy City with soon-to-be-big-news netminder Reto Berra.

“It was pretty exciting. It happened pretty fast,” Billins said. “It’s a thrill. When you first hear the words that you’re getting called up, you’re kind of nervous but you just have to stay focused and if you get the opportunity, you’ve gotta make the most of it.”

Billins was a healthy scratch for Sunday’s 3-2 overtime triumph against the Chicago Blackhawks and, since the Flames haven’t made a habit of tinkering with their lineup after victories, he’ll likely be a spectator again for Tuesday’s meeting with the Minnesota Wild (6 p.m., Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Fan 960).

“I told him, ‘Be ready, you never know. I can’t promise you any starts, but be ready,’ ” said Flames head coach Bob Hartley.

That’s the plan.

Billins’ welcome-to-the-big-leagues was a lengthy workout with Flames skills coach Domenic Pittis and fellow healthy scratch Lance Bouma in the bowels of United Center in Chicago.

Although he’s anxious to showcase his skills in game action, the Ferris State University graduate realizes that even being an extra with an NHL squad is a special opportunity.

“Guys that have been around for awhile, guys like (Dennis) Wideman, you just see how they carry themselves every day,” Billins said. “You have to work hard every day still in practice and in pre-game skates. You just focus on the little things and try to learn from it. Just take it all in.

Rookie Flames defenceman Chad Billins gets 'the call'

For Calgary Flames blueliner Chad Billins, making the call was the special part.

When Billins was summoned from the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat to join the big club for the start of its four-game road-trip, he could hardly wait to share the news with his parents, Jason and Teri.

“It was pretty exciting to be able to call them. It was kind of an unbelievable experience,” Billins said. “They’re the ones that take you to the rink in the early morning and all the tournaments, and with all the time they’ve invested ... it was a pretty rewarding phone call.”